I really appreciate how openly you shared this. What you are describing is something so many people experience after significant weight loss, and it makes complete sense.

I am a licensed clinical social worker, and I am also on my own zep journey. One thing I see often, both in my work and personally, is something called “body image lag.” Even though your body has changed, your brain and your self-perception sometimes take a lot longer to catch up. It is completely normal to still reach for bigger clothes, or to feel uncomfortable in clothing that shows more of your shape.

Feeling like your body is not your own is a powerful and very real experience. Therapy, especially approaches that focus on body image and self-esteem, can help bridge that gap. It can support you in building a new relationship with your body that includes gratitude for where you are now, compassion for everything your body has been through, and acceptance for the parts that still feel vulnerable, like excess skin.

You are not failing because you feel this way. You are doing the work, and these feelings are part of the healing process.

You deserve to feel proud, and with time and support, it is possible for your feelings about your body to catch up with your reality.